Category: DBA Operations

  • Installing Windows Terminal on Windows

    Windows Terminal is the modern command-line application for Windows and supports PowerShell, Command Prompt, and WSL in a single interface.

    On recent versions of Windows (Windows 11 and newer), Windows Terminal is installed by default. If it’s already available on your system, no installation is required.

    If it isn’t installed, or you’re working on older systems or automation scenarios, the methods below cover all supported ways to install it.

    Quick check (is it already installed?)

    Before installing anything, check:

    • Press the Windows key
    • Type Windows Terminal
    • If it appears, it’s already installed

    You can also run:

    wt

    If Windows Terminal opens, you’re good to go.

    1. Install Windows Terminal from the Microsoft Store

    This is the simplest and most common method.

    Installing from the Microsoft Store ensures:

    • Automatic updates
    • The latest stable release
    • Minimal maintenance

    Steps:

    1. Open the Microsoft Store
    2. Search for Windows Terminal
    3. Click Install

    Once installed, updates are handled automatically by the Store.

    2. Install Windows Terminal using Chocolatey

    Chocolatey is useful when:

    • Managing multiple machines
    • Automating workstation builds
    • Working in enterprise environments

    If Chocolatey is not installed:

    # Install Choco
Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force
[System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = `
  [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol -bor 3072
iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://community.chocolatey.org/install.ps1'))

    Install Windows Terminal:

    # Install WT with Choco
choco install microsoft-windows-terminal

    Chocolatey will also handle upgrades when newer versions are released.

    3. Install Windows Terminal using Scoop

    Scoop is a lightweight, command-line–focused installer that works well for developer environments.

    Install Scoop (current user):

    # Install Scoop
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
Invoke-RestMethod -Uri https://get.scoop.sh | Invoke-Expression

    Install Windows Terminal:

    # Install WT with Scoop
scoop install windows-terminal

    Scoop will keep the installation up to date automatically.

    Running Windows Terminal as Administrator

    You can run Windows Terminal with elevated privileges in several ways.

    Start Menu

    • Search for Windows Terminal
    • Select Run as administrator

    From PowerShell (open elevated Terminal)

    You can also launch an elevated Windows Terminal session directly:

    # Run Windows Terminal with PowerShell as Admin
Start-Process -Verb RunAs cmd.exe '/c start wt.exe -p "Windows PowerShell"'

    This opens Windows Terminal and starts an elevated PowerShell profile.

    Notes

    • Windows Terminal is the default terminal experience on modern Windows
    • It supports multiple tabs, panes, and profiles (PowerShell, WSL, cmd)
    • Most PowerShell administration work benefits from using Windows Terminal
    • If scripts fail unexpectedly, ensure the session is running as Administrator

    Related

    • How to Open PowerShell as Administrator
    • PowerShell execution policy errors
    • Common PowerShell scripts for Windows administration

  • Installing and Updating SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

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    How to Check SQL Server Version and Build

    Checking SQL Server Services and Startup State

    How to Restart SQL Server Safely in Production

    Finding Last Database Backup Times

    Common SQL Server Ports and Connectivity Checks

    Killing Sessions and Handling Blocking Safely

    Checking Disk Space Usage for SQL Server

    SQL Agent Jobs: Status, Failures, and History

    Troubleshooting “Cannot Connect to SQL Server”

  • How to Open PowerShell as Administrator on Windows

    How to Open PowerShell as Administrator on Windows

    Running PowerShell as Administrator is required for many system-level tasks such as configuring Windows, installing software, or running administrative scripts.

    Below are the most reliable ways to open PowerShell with elevated privileges on Windows.

    Quick method (fastest)

    If you already have a PowerShell window open, run:

    # Open PowerShell as Admin
Start-Process powershell -Verb runas

    You’ll be prompted by User Account Control (UAC). Click Yes to open an elevated PowerShell session.

    1. Open PowerShell as Administrator from the Start Menu

    Windows 10 / Windows 11

    1. Press the Windows key
    2. Type PowerShell
    3. Select Run as administrator

    To do this on Windows 7 or 8, the steps are slightly different. I would recommend upgrading your OS to a supported version.

    2. Open PowerShell as Administrator using Windows Terminal

    Windows Terminal is the default terminal application on Windows 11 and supports PowerShell profiles.

    To open PowerShell as Administrator:

    • Right-click Windows Terminal
    • Select Run as administrator

    Or, if PowerShell is your default shell:

    • Hold CTRL
    • Click the + icon to open a new elevated tab

    3. Open PowerShell as Administrator from Task Manager

    This method is useful if the Start Menu is unavailable.

    1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
    2. Click Run new task
    3. Type powershell
    4. Check Create this task with administrative privileges
    5. Click OK

    An elevated PowerShell window will open.

    Notes

    • Many PowerShell scripts require administrator rights to modify system settings
    • If scripts fail unexpectedly, check whether the session is elevated
    • Windows Terminal does not always open as admin by default

    Related

    • Installing Windows Terminal on Windows
    • PowerShell execution policy errors
    • Common PowerShell scripts for Windows administration